How real people will use Windows 8 on the desktop (video)

When it comes to attacking Microsoft’s dubious Windows 8 design decisions, ExtremeTech is no stranger. When we first learnt about the Metro interface making the leap to Windows 8, I predicted the death of the PC. When Matthew Murray tried out the Consumer Preview, he threatened to leave Windows for Linux.

You and I might know that tapping the Windows key on the keyboard pops up the Start Menu/Screen, but as the video below makes clear, “real people” do not. In the video, Chris Pirillo’s (of Lockergnome fame) dad tries to use Windows 8 for the first time. What follows is an agonizing example of why Microsoft shouldn’t have removed a design element that users have relied on for almost 20 years, since Windows 95.

At this point, of course, I have to wheel out one of my favorite videos: a two-year-old using an iPad for the first time.

Tagged In

Having a big “I told you so” moment right now towards microsoft, though probably everyone has that right now.
I don’t see -any- advantages of metro for desktop users, For tablets? Sure, great UI, but everyone from powerusers to the ones setting their first steps with the OS are having trouble using it on a desktop.
Please microsoft, the under the hood changes you made are awesome, it’s so much more smooth and fast, but I refuse to use a car no matter how powerful if the seat is made of cacti and the steering wheel is a laggy resistive touchscreen.

josh poz

old man doesn’t know there is a windows button on his keyboard. more at 6..

Marc Guillot

Probably not, ¿ why should him ?.

My father is like that, when he learns a way, he use it always, being lost when you make the minor change.

I tried to make this point with a comment in a previous topic on Windows 8. Older people struggle to adjust to even minor changes. Unless MS make some of the Desktop features more accessable, I can see many silver haired new PC/Laptop buyer returning their product to PC World or wherever they bought it and asking for a refund.

Decadre Solydius

It is not just the silver foxes that will have problems with this.

Having been involved in one way or another with Help Desk work for a very long time now, even younger “computer orientated” folks consistently have their moments.

Case in point, just returned from a road trip to a satellite office. User claimed that she could get past the log-on screen. The ticket stated that the user was asked if the monitor was on, and if any lights were on the PC. User stated the monitor worked and all the lights were on. User has a PC model which doesn’t have any visible HDD/activity lights other than the power light, so this can be a viable response.

What do I find when I get to the location?

The surge protector was unplugged from the wall.

On the plus side, at least she was keeping busy checking the news on her iPad while I traveled out there.

Morale of the story? For this 20-something hipster secretary who checks her Facebook and reads the news on an iPad, logging into her PC equates to turning on the PC.

http://geometrikal.myopenid.com/ geo

So when her ipad doesn’t charge coz there is no power to the charger you will get another call?

Austin Barrett

It is not Microsoft’s fault that people can’t seem to keep up with the trends. Microsoft has been playing it safe in terms of their GUI for decades for this very reason. The only thing that has led to is an outdated interface and unoptimized filesystem. If people want to see innovation and the progression of technology and the way we are able to use it they have to be able to go from pressing a fake button at he bottom left of the screen to a physical button the keyboard. Even if they are too thick to be able to press the physical key, the bottom left of the screen still launches the previous app and allows you to choose from all the currently open apps.

Anonymous

I couldn’t disagree with you more! PCs have been mainly work stations for the, … well, actually forever! Sure, private households bought them too because there was sooo much more to it than just work: gaming, communicating – all the good stuff that you’re not allowed to do at work! :)

Now, Microsoft is trying to turn their OS into a “Consumer OS” with main focus on CONSUMPTION (e.g. buying apps in the app store/ marketplace) which would have worked out perfectly fine on a new kind of hardware, such as tablets.

For productive work, Windows 8 is rather a downgrade since METRO gets always in the way unless you clutter your desktop with hundreds of shortcuts or you install multiple 3rd party helpers, such as toolbars, launchbars and alternative start menues … well, I guess you got my point? :)

Anonymous

I couldn’t disagree with you more! PCs have been mainly work stations for the, … well, actually forever! Sure, private households bought them too because there was sooo much more to it than just work: gaming, communicating – all the good stuff that you’re not allowed to do at work! :)

Now, Microsoft is trying to turn their OS into a “Consumer OS” with main focus on CONSUMPTION (e.g. buying apps in the app store/ marketplace) which would have worked out perfectly fine on a new kind of hardware, such as tablets.

For productive work, Windows 8 is rather a downgrade since METRO gets always in the way unless you clutter your desktop with hundreds of shortcuts or you install multiple 3rd party helpers, such as toolbars, launchbars and alternative start menues … well, I guess you got my point? :)

Anonymous

I couldn’t disagree with you more! PCs have been mainly work stations for the, … well, actually forever! Sure, private households bought them too because there was sooo much more to it than just work: gaming, communicating – all the good stuff that you’re not allowed to do at work! :)

Now, Microsoft is trying to turn their OS into a “Consumer OS” with main focus on CONSUMPTION (e.g. buying apps in the app store/ marketplace) which would have worked out perfectly fine on a new kind of hardware, such as tablets.

For productive work, Windows 8 is rather a downgrade since METRO gets always in the way unless you clutter your desktop with hundreds of shortcuts or you install multiple 3rd party helpers, such as toolbars, launchbars and alternative start menues … well, I guess you got my point? :)

Anonymous

I couldn’t disagree with you more! PCs have been mainly work stations for the, … well, actually forever! Sure, private households bought them too because there was sooo much more to it than just work: gaming, communicating – all the good stuff that you’re not allowed to do at work! :)

Now, Microsoft is trying to turn their OS into a “Consumer OS” with main focus on CONSUMPTION (e.g. buying apps in the app store/ marketplace) which would have worked out perfectly fine on a new kind of hardware, such as tablets.

For productive work, Windows 8 is rather a downgrade since METRO gets always in the way unless you clutter your desktop with hundreds of shortcuts or you install multiple 3rd party helpers, such as toolbars, launchbars and alternative start menues … well, I guess you got my point? :)

Yiannis Mantheakis

What trends? Just because MS decides to redesign the whell and make a square one does not mean we have to accept it. MS is a monopoly and as such is in the position to impose on us whatever she wishes. Case in point: Win live mail does not have the proper English (British) dictionary instead it has the American and anyone wishing to have British spell check can only do so by combining the American with the British dictionaries. I for one will not shed a tear should another company force MS to Bankruptcy!

Anonymous

Agreed. Not only that, but he didn’t move the mouse to any corner, or side of the screen for that matter.

“Dumb old man left to fend for himself vs child being told to tap and slap a touch screen.” That should be the new headline.Woohoo, your scientific method has proven that…oh wait, it didn’t.

If you think you can’t use Windows 8, take a second to get your self-esteem in order and tell yourself, “Yes I can, yes I can, yes I can!”

Its nice to see a new direction being applied for OS interaction. Can’t wait for my copy.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_W6WEUNOUQEZWRICEWJA2AYCFRE Zaki

Ask yourself this, Would he think to do that? No, Just because you gladly accept change doesn’t mean everyone else does, Have a little more sense before suggesting that everyone should accept what you do.

But in all seriousness, If you seriously plan on investing in this then I’m sorry but your wasting your time and money.

UnspokenThought

I was a bit fed up with the double standards associated with Windows and Apple products. I find it is rare to see objectivity from critics. It would have been better to point out some of the differences we are seeing; a child interacting with its world by tactile feedback and an older man accustomed to using an older UI.

After installing the Consumer Preview, I would like to see tool tips pop up and give new information on the UI based on frequency of using said feature. Windows Phone 8, now with a focus on business and IT pros, Windows Surface Pro, and Xbox products will migrate nicely into my home/work environment.

Good to see we still have a 3rd major player pushing innovation.

Anonymous

Gratz to Chris for highlighting this issue in an easy to understand way. Also gg on the marriage!

Anonymous

“men who is unable (due to age) to shove the mouse in the corner where the start button used to be, while 2 yr old baby (who, due to age, could learn to drive a car in 30 minutes if he had the body of a 16yr old) learns to touch stuff”

in other news, my nephew of 3yrs could turn on the pc and browse youtube by itself, he plays solitaire too!

Anonymous

Except that this elderly gentlemen had no reason to move the mouse to the lower left corner of the screen since there is nothing to see nor anything that indicates that you will magically get an option to get back to the METRO start screen. Ever heard about a software / hardware / OS being “intuitive”?

Anonymous

yeah, because thinking something like “let’s see what happens if I slam the mouse the same place i was slamming it in the last 15 years” or “hey, this keyboard has a start key, let’s press it” it’s SO hard. i would like to see how many people find “intuitive” using a FOUR FINGER gesture on iOS. if the author of the video would spend 10 minutes with his dad and explaining shit instead of trying to be a smartass, all would be well. by the same reasoning we would still be using a palm device with a stylus instead of smartphones, thank god old people doesn’t dictate the progress of tecnology.

really, 10 minutes of explaining shit, nothing more, then old man could live in the desktop and use a start screen instead of a start menu. that, and a shutdown shortcut on the desktop, of course, because now shutting down windows IS VERY VERY HARD (even when there’s a perfectly good hardware power button to press).

Denis Zdanovsky

“by the same reasoning we would still be using a palm device with a stylus instead of smartphones “
1) The Palm was one of the first smart phones (Blackberry was first I believe). The only difference was that at the time the only people who needed a smartphone were business execs, so those companies targeted business. One of the main reasons Apple succeeded was their timing. They announced the iPhone only 4 months after Facebook started allowing anyone to get an account, not just college students. This is also about the same time the first generation of people to use email as a main mode of communication were getting jobs and able to afford buying a smartphone.
2) Have you seen the Samsung Galaxy Note? Or any of the new Samsung Galaxy devices (Note, Tab, and S3)? They all either come with a stylus or have styli available, not to mention the huge quantity of styli available from 3rd party manufacturers. I used to have a Palm (m500 and TX) and you could use it without a stylus for many things, and one of my biggest problems with iPhone and Android was the lack of a stylus. Yes, there are some things that don’t require having a stylus, but doing art, taking notes which include diagrams, or just writing* in general is easier with a stylus.

*Being a hardcore technophile, there are still times I prefer to grab a piece of paper and a pen then using a keyboard.

Anonymous

Lots of adults, of all ages, can spout the lingo, which they have picked up, but have no idea what or why they do things. All rote. The move to ribbons on MS Office was an example of a major change that cost business millions of dollars in lost productivity. Ultimately, users will learn how to use Win8, or at least how to make it do what they need it to. MS is the ultimate in the arrogant IT group that most companies have. The groups that know best what users should use, and who cares about the impact.

http://geometrikal.myopenid.com/ geo

We can’t just halt progress because old dogs don’t want learn new tricks. With improvements in technology comes new things to learn. People who rote learn will have to rote learn again. What companies like MS should do is make this as painless as possible not by limiting the changes but by teaching how to adapt to them.

An aside – I have a colleague at work who opens files and folders by right clicking to bring up a context menu then clicking open!

Anonymous

I can agree with you if you agree to that it wouldn’t have hurt if MS would have given users a choice to at least being able to enable the old start button on the desktop – at least for the first few incarnations of the METRO UI. This way, users would have time to adapt over time. Hence, MS did it with the “CLASSIC” start menu, giving the user the chouice to switch to the old Windows 95 look for ages …! This now forced uppon us new METRO start screen is far from being ready for mouse and keyboard, so, why not providing a choice. MS has sooo much legacy code packed into Windows, a few files more for the possibility of enabling the old START menu wouldn’t bloat it up much more. :)

Denis Zdanovsky

There is a strong difference between changing things for progress and changing things for “progress” (also known as “for the sake of change). In the last few years I think MS has been changing things for the sake of “progress” (Office Ribbon, metro on desktops).

Anonymous

Lots of adults, of all ages, can spout the lingo, which they have picked up, but have no idea what or why they do things. All rote. The move to ribbons on MS Office was an example of a major change that cost business millions of dollars in lost productivity. Ultimately, users will learn how to use Win8, or at least how to make it do what they need it to. MS is the ultimate in the arrogant IT group that most companies have. The groups that know best what users should use, and who cares about the impact.

http://geek.com sal cangeloso

best line:

“you’re on your own, this is windows 8”

Anonymous

Yeah, he likes torturing his dad. :)

Anonymous

Yeah, he likes torturing his dad. :)

Anonymous

Not that I completely agree with this move on Microsoft’s part, I did notice an issue with this test and had one point to make. One point made was that people do not even know about the start key on the keyboard. The only issue I have from watching this video is that the start screen I think was presented as a menu structure so it could be thought of in the same light as an “app” or like we would think of Windows Explorer. I can’t help but wonder, If he was told that the tile screen was the new start menu, would he have thought to push the start key?

We also went though this transition from windows 3.11 to 95. The change in the way the computer worked was I think quite as different. I remember there being a learning curve there too. We all go though it.

That said, I think Microsoft just expects us to learn. I am ok with that. I would however like to the traditional desktop for power users. I do not see this design working out super well for the user who takes full advantage of professional, enterprise, and ultimate editions. Kicking into the start screen to load another program will just be annoying. Not to mention that the Mosaic is exceptionally annoying in multiple screen environments.

For the non power user, I think its the right move. Could use some tweaks, but for the most part its time to just learn.

Denis Zdanovsky

I’ve been of the opinion that I would switch to Linux when I could no longer use Windows 7, but after what you said I have the thought that they may not use Metro for Windows Server because that would seem a bit stupid (MS Office switched to the ribbon UI in 2007, but their programming suite Visual Studio .NET 2010 still had the traditional UI because it is more useful). Maybe even the Ultimate versions may not have it. Well, I can hope.

http://twitter.com/MManLA Markeyse Jamar Mundy

Please!!! This dude actually made Microsoft looks good. This guys learned it pretty good, and he got a sense what each tile does. Also some features didn’t work because of the CP. Windows 8 is good for people like this.

mori bund

Aaaawww, Sebastian, finally you come around and understand what we tried to tell you in the comments of your last Win8-articles in the last two weeks. ^^

http://www.mrseb.co.uk Sebastian Anthony

Awww, didn’t anyone ever tell you the patronization is one of the worst personality traits ever? :P

mori bund

Yeah, but in this case the temptation to do it is too unbearable! ;-)

http://profile.yahoo.com/6JBDL7X567KRKRWJTO5D6Q3LIQ Kenn & Charlene

Everyone here keeps saying that he should have hit the “windows” button on the keyboard. Well I am only in my 40’s I have been using Computers since the TRS-80 & Commodore PET. I have NEVER touched the
“windows” button on purpose. There is a switch on my G15 keyboard to turn it off. Because when ever it gets touched things happen that I did not want or expect to happen

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_DHDP3KLRP3VU6T47WOH5UO55RY Michael

I support thousands of end users over 50, they all work for City and county offices. Every last one of them would demand their old windows machines back after 2 minutes looking at the Metro UI. I hate it, and I live for new technologies. 99% of people that use PC’s are not tech savvy, so why make such a huge change that is going to cause you the loss of most of your customer base? This I believe is going to be another windows ME or Vist. They are going to have very few sales, and end up selling windows 7 as a “downgrade” so that people will continue to buy laptops and desktops. After all most of us still have to sit at a desk and work, either data entry, or other menial task that require a ton of typing. That cannot be done efficiently on a 7″ screen, or when you have to hunt for apps…

Mike Q
MSCE, MCSA, NET+, A+, CCNA

Anonymous

They actually will have lots of sales because, once it hits the shelves, it will come preinstalled on any new Windows computer. The question remains if MS will actually force manufacturers to lock the bootloader, so, that you can’t install Windows 7 even if you wanted to?

Anonymous

They actually will have lots of sales because, once it hits the shelves, it will come preinstalled on any new Windows computer. The question remains if MS will actually force manufacturers to lock the bootloader, so, that you can’t install Windows 7 even if you wanted to?

http://profile.yahoo.com/OM43CWI6CJXN7VWF75W6YA4HQI Neha believeingod

there is fake things about both videos first why the old man is not able to get into the start screen and wandering into metro apps
and how the kid knows how to use home screen button

Anonymous

My initial impression is that windows 8 looks horrible. But I understand why microsoft is doing it. Your second video shows where kids are learning to interact with computers right from the cradle…on tablets and smartphones.

But I think the need for a keyboard is a huge mistake. Why should a tablet geared operating system require peripherals. Strange. It especially sucks for my case where I use a pc for a home theatre system. I only generally use the keyboard to log on and then store it out of the way while we crash on the couch and navigate with the mouse. Kinect for windows should even eliminate this.

The windows key on the keyboard, as mentioned by another user is just an aggravation and I’ve never used it in my life. The start icon/pearl definitely needs to return. I imagine someone will hack it in or there will be a classic mode in windows 8 (I hope)

Para Shopper

I totally agree! Until Win 8 you could actually navigate and do everything even write on the virtual keyboard with your mouse only. Imagine people with one hand! In my opinion the Metro UI is no good for desktop. The charm is far from being responsive in most of the cases. I still don`t understand how it actually works what trick my mouse does when it finally appears. It rather looks like it has its own moods. “nah not this time buddy, use the other navigators”The apps open and stay open. Navigation got really messed up in all the four corners of the screen. Why? Instead of simplifying this is really complicated now.

Hugo Pinheiro

And this is different to average users not even knowing where the start button is how, if you have ever done tech support most users hardly know how to use windows, for windows 8 all they have to do is watch a 10 minute video to learn the new navigation simple as that top right corner gets you charms, bottom left gets you the start button to metro mode, upper left gets you the ability to switch windows, man how hard is that.

Dark Cyberian Knight

I won’t make any excuses for MS making dumb changes.

I do wonder if the 2 year old had used an touch screen phone or iPod touch before. because the swiping seems indicative and the father gave instruction when she couldn’t find a way back which Chris didn’t give his father.

I do like the idea of a pure screen interface. We haven’t come to a convergence on what is intuitive easy to learn or most effective or powerful.

I have to say that kid knew how to use the iPad. She immediately knew where the home button was.

http://www.mrseb.co.uk Sebastian Anthony

Yeah, she had used an iPhone before actually — so it’s a bit of a cheat :)

Vlad Tepes

“bit of a cheat”

I’d have to say that is a huge cheat. If you want to make a proper comparison your dad, if he never used the ipad or iphone, should try that with no help and see how he does.

http://www.facebook.com/gshauger Geoffrey Shauger

Obviously the kid has used an iPhone

R W

Stupid videos. Since when is a new OS supposed to obvious to a befuddled old man who has no interest in it and isn’t even allowed to ask questions?

I’m probably older than him but I am interested, installed it on Day One and have used it exclusively since.
Try upgrading his old Windows PC instead of fresh install, tell him about Windows key and see how he does. it’s not rocket science.

My biggest complaint has nothing to with Start Buttons, it has to do with the decision to substitute keyboard shortcuts for mouse activated graphic options/menus. If this is supposed to be phone/tablet/desktop UI then it’s understandable that something has to fill in for a touch screen so why isn’t it Mouse functionally rather than Keyboard functionally?

Just shows how much the “old”man spends online is all, NOT MUCH or he would be able to figure it out! I’m going on 66 and looking forward to getting it looks great

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_UGJ3SZR3YRF4O4IZBPFIOIVFII Eugen

The computer is tool, the iPad is a toy.

Put the same girl or the same old man in front of the final windows 8 with only touch apps enabled if you want to compare something.

Until then you’re just saying we like new stuff but there better be no learning involved. WORD!

Dan Dar3

When you install a new Windows on your parents computer, you just install it and leave right away, or do you show them a few things on how to use it?!

C Betzer

Once again, someone comparing the iPad with a PC. THEY ARE NOT THE SAME, MOVE ON ALREADY!!!

The fact of the video showing a new user hunting for something that has been changed in an OS update for Windows. Great to see this, but to show a kid with an iPad is insane.

iPad = iOS, an OS made for that one device and only that device.
Macbook (Laptop or others) = OSX or Pick an OS in the world and install and enjoy, and OS to be installed for Apple desktop, laptop or servers.
Even someone that has both of the above knows not to compare these against each other, hell you cannot even use Apple’s App Store applications on OSX.

PC = Pick an OS even OSX if you break the rules, and soon to be Windows 8. But a high % of the PC market issues are in the many vendors selling good hardware, but to many vendors selling crap claiming it is a value.

To compare an iPad to a PC with Windows 8, a little rushed as you should only compare an iPad to a Windows 8 tablet, which are yet to be released hardware.

Am I a fan of Metro, yes and no or better yet it depends. Say as it should be said, Microsoft, please give us both and let us decide which and when we use Metro or the proven and well abised Start Button.

Anonymous

People we are talking about an OS here!!! Its sole job in life is to interface with us to navigate various programs, if we had an efficient in win xp (which we did) why on earth would anyone change that? as far as functionality is concerned, changes don’t always mean progress.
So although win 7 is superior program wise to xp, its functionality is totally inferior but I’m one of those stupid old people who’s next computer will be a apple.
well done Microsoft!

Scott Bailey

It is yet to be seen whether Windows 8 will be a flop or a great success. I remember running my networks off of Novell with Windows 3.1 and DOS. When Windows 95 came out, I was constantly looking for the command prompt and wondering why Microsoft was eliminating the ability for me to control my PC with commands that I was comfortable in using. After awhile, I really enjoyed the new interface of Windows and came to a realization as someone who was in Technology – Change is good. Doing something different in an attempt to progress us in Technology should not be criticized until we have a full release product to evaluate. Comments like “removed a design element that users have relied on for almost 20 years” really makes me wonder if you truly understand why we must always question the way we do things with respect to Technology. Otherwise we might not have ever ventured away from the command prompt and not ever allowed a GUI interface to evolve. BTW, I use to laugh at people on MACs and now I am on one everyday. Don’t be so quick to close the door on progress whether is seems stupid or not.

Anonymous

So you are saying that we should change the way we do business computing because MS wants to change it for no other reason than it’s own bottom line?
Desktop tech has not changed, mouse keyboard screen same as win 95 days, STANDARD! are you saying we have to change anything. A GUI is not tech its software. extensions to adapt XP to talk to touch screen should be possible for any decent software writers (but on your side we are talking MS) this has nothing to do with new tech.Cars are still the same as the model T but today they are considerably refined and improved, a person that drives today’s cars can get in a model T and drive it.Dude there ain’t no new cars here!

Scott Bailey

You bring up very good points and I agree with some of what your saying, but where we differ is your point that we should accept that the way we do things is the only way to do things from this point forward. You said “the way we do business computing.” Why are you saying this? I do not think this OS is prohibiting you from doing computing business? I have used the preview version of this OS and still have everything that I had from previous versions, all be it a different way of achieving the results. “MS bottom line” No one is forcing anyone to purchase this OS. MS is a company and by such is in business to make money. I am confused why you are surprised by this. My point is not to accept that there is any standard in this world, but to take every new innovation, whether its software or tech and see if it has any benefit. If you notice in my earlier post I said not to criticize an OS that has yet to be released. If it does not offer a benefit, then it will fail.
btw. drive a model t yes, but start one.. not too sure

1. Pull the choke adjacent to the right fender while engaging the crank lever under the radiator at the front of the car, slowly turning it a quarter-turn clockwise to prime the carburetor with fuel.
2. Get into the car. Insert the ignition key, turning the setting to either magneto or battery. Adjust the timing stalk upward to retard the timing, move the throttle stalk downward slightly for an idle setting, and pull back on the hand brake, which also places the car in neutral.
3. Return to the front of the car. Use your left hand to crank the lever (if the engine backfires and the lever swings counterclockwise, the left arm is less likely to be broken). Give it a vigorous half-crank, and the engine should start.

We still have icons, folders and command prompt, just no start menu. The world is about to end and be taken over by live tiles…I am getting in my model T and drive away!

shanesparling

Scott, thank you for your considered reply, we are not very far apart, one point that you have picked up on “the way we do business computing.” I honestly believe that most businesses are more than satisfied with present OS aside from security issues, addressing this would be more welcome than reissuing another slightly different OS with ever so slightly different security issues, something which they should have got right 12 years ago and actually by dropping support they are forcing you to change, no good having a model T if all they sell is diesel eh? change is good when done correctly, my case in point is HD tv, awesome compared to a few years ago.
Where we do differ, is that I believe in order to go forward we have to have standards, slightly off subject, my wife wanted a garden fork, so we went to Home Hardware and bought one, 1st time we used it, it bent! went to a shop that had imports from Britain and bought one to British Standards (no kidding) and just like the old fashioned forks it worked without bending! the moral of the story is differ from standards and you always pay a price, I fully understand the MS wants more money but I think WE should be more considerate about leaping out of the frying pan in to the fire! whether win * is any good is quite irrelevent, my point is it has to be absolutely better just as HD tv is, otherwise you will waste money and profit adopting another OS that will last? Vista? Win 7? win ME? The real question is how many version releases will you accept before a new standard should be accepted?

Scott Bailey

Very good point! Fact is, I am going to watch someone else test this OS out before I jump, my butt is still warm from VISTA, thats why OSX has been choice as of late. I am just ready for the next big thing. It has been way too long for MS and without any other company pushing Apple, history will repeat itself and Apple will sit back and only tweak its OS since Jobs has passed. I really like the live tiles approach, only because it is different, but different might get annoying very very quickly. Thats when I will go back to my old fashion fork, and I will be poorer for it.
I guess thats why we are tech guys, we are always trying to scratch the unreachable itch. I just want the next best back scratcher.. :) cheers.

shanesparling

Scott, your last line got me thinking ” guess thats why we are tech guys” I think I reached my Zenith in 2006, since then I am loosing interest daily in computing in general and now horror of horrors I just damn well expect it to work, just like my truck LOL. My wife and I are looking forward to using ipads etc around the home but business is dollars! and dollars are jobs. This is more important now than pre 2008 good luck with that nasty itch lol

Scott Bailey

You bring up very good points and I agree with some of what your saying, but where we differ is your point that we should accept that the way we do things is the only way to do things from this point forward. You said “the way we do business computing.” Why are you saying this? I do not think this OS is prohibiting you from doing computing business? I have used the preview version of this OS and still have everything that I had from previous versions, all be it a different way of achieving the results. “MS bottom line” No one is forcing anyone to purchase this OS. MS is a company and by such is in business to make money. I am confused why you are surprised by this. My point is not to accept that there is any standard in this world, but to take every new innovation, whether its software or tech and see if it has any benefit. If you notice in my earlier post I said not to criticize an OS that has yet to be released. If it does not offer a benefit, then it will fail.
btw. drive a model t yes, but start one.. not too sure

1. Pull the choke adjacent to the right fender while engaging the crank lever under the radiator at the front of the car, slowly turning it a quarter-turn clockwise to prime the carburetor with fuel.
2. Get into the car. Insert the ignition key, turning the setting to either magneto or battery. Adjust the timing stalk upward to retard the timing, move the throttle stalk downward slightly for an idle setting, and pull back on the hand brake, which also places the car in neutral.
3. Return to the front of the car. Use your left hand to crank the lever (if the engine backfires and the lever swings counterclockwise, the left arm is less likely to be broken). Give it a vigorous half-crank, and the engine should start.

We still have icons, folders and command prompt, just no start menu. The world is about to end and be taken over by live tiles…I am getting in my model T and drive away!

http://profiles.google.com/bentiessen Benjamin Tiessen

Your comparing a video where the guy tells the 2 year old what to do, and a video where the guy is completely on his own. I still get your point that windows 8 is stupidly designed. but making it SO intensely biased to prove your point isn’t necessarily the right thing either!

Death4you24

Screw this, A Desktop PC will always be better, The Notebook touch crap and stuff don’t help us who are down with simply sitting on their desktop, and not suffering a bloody backache just trying to use something that basically goes on the net and holds music and pictures, Yes i possibly am in the past but if people want this crap they can have it, I’m Desktop for life, Its much more fucking personal than those will ever be.

Ernest

Everyone misses the point. I use a computer to get work done. I need a
database open, spreadsheets, word processing documents, and more. At the
same time. Why? Because I need to draw info from all these sources to
do my day-to day work. I can’t do that with this OS designed for kids
and casual PC users.

armchairnavigator

holy cow, as a programmer, for the first time in the history of windows, i declare a mac easier to use for software development. since macs are, and have always been easier for endusers, that leaves one question – what is the point in windows ?

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_W6WEUNOUQEZWRICEWJA2AYCFRE Zaki

I fail to see how people can seriously support Windows 8.

Windows XP & 7 4LIFE!

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